WHO ARE YOUR PEOPLE?

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. 

(Matthew 1:1)

In many places in the world, practically the first thing people ask you is, “Who are your people? Where did you grow up?” They are trying to place you in the mental framework they use to understand the world.

People do this to Jesus, too. Maybe that’s why God included Jesus’ genealogy right at the beginning of Matthew. Dull as it may seem, it answers the question of where Jesus came from.

“Who are Your people, Jesus?” Kings and princes. Nomads and rich men. Poor women and artisans. The high and the low.

“Say it again, Jesus? Who are they?” Liars and thieves (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Murderers and adulterers (David). The half-faithful and half-foolish (Hezekiah). Foreigners (Ruth and Rahab). Prostitutes (Rahab). Broken families (David, Uriah, Bathsheba). Child abusers (Manasseh). These are Jesus’ people. This is whom He comes from.

Do they look familiar? These are our people, too. They are us. This is the family Jesus was born into, in order to save us all—to be born and grow up and lay down His life on a cross, so that we might become God’s family. Because Jesus died for us, our evil is taken away. Because He has risen for us, we have new, everlasting life as children of God.

Lord, thank You for coming to us, just as we are. Thank You for making us Your own. Amen.

Reflect & Discuss

1. Who are you most surprised to see in Jesus’ family tree?
2. Why do you think God chose people like this to be among Jesus’ ancestors?
3. Jesus is now a member of your family. How is God making you look more and more like Him?